Cucumber hybrid ps 14763612 poll and parents thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention provides seed and plants of cucumber hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of cucumber hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a cucumber plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another cucumber plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding and, morespecifically, to the development of cucumber hybrid PS 14763612 POLL andthe inbred cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of vegetable breeding is to combine various desirable traits ina single variety/hybrid. Such desirable traits may include any traitdeemed beneficial by a grower and/or consumer, including greater yield,resistance to insects or disease, tolerance to environmental stress, andnutritional value.

Breeding techniques take advantage of a plant's method of pollination.There are two general methods of pollination: a plant self-pollinates ifpollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower ofthe same plant or plant variety. A plant cross-pollinates if pollencomes to it from a flower of a different plant variety.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type over manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny, a homozygous plant. A crossbetween two such homozygous plants of different genotypes produces auniform population of hybrid plants that are heterozygous for many geneloci. Conversely, a cross of two plants each heterozygous at a number ofloci produces a population of hybrid plants that differ genetically andare not uniform. The resulting non-uniformity makes performanceunpredictable.

The development of uniform varieties requires the development ofhomozygous inbred plants, the crossing of these inbred plants, and theevaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection areexamples of breeding methods that have been used to develop inbredplants from breeding populations. Those breeding methods combine thegenetic backgrounds from two or more plants or various other broad-basedsources into breeding pools from which new lines and hybrids derivedtherefrom are developed by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes.The new lines and hybrids are evaluated to determine which of those havecommercial potential.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a cucumber plant of thehybrid designated PS 14763612 POLL, the cucumber line ASL M3092029 MO orcucumber line ASL147-2014-MO. Also provided are cucumber plants havingall the physiological and morphological characteristics of such a plant.Parts of these cucumber plants are also provided, for example, includingpollen, an ovule, scion, a rootstock, a fruit, and a cell of the plant.

In another aspect of the invention, a plant of cucumber hybrid PS14763612 POLL and/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MOcomprising an added heritable trait is provided. The heritable trait maycomprise a genetic locus that is, for example, a dominant or recessiveallele. In one embodiment of the invention, a plant of cucumber hybridPS 14763612 POLL and/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO andASL147-2014-MO is defined as comprising a single locus conversion. Inspecific embodiments of the invention, an added genetic locus confersone or more traits such as, for example, herbicide tolerance, insectresistance, disease resistance, and modified carbohydrate metabolism. Infurther embodiments, the trait may be conferred by a naturally occurringgene introduced into the genome of a line by backcrossing, a natural orinduced mutation, or a transgene introduced through genetictransformation techniques into the plant or a progenitor of any previousgeneration thereof. When introduced through transformation, a geneticlocus may comprise one or more genes integrated at a single chromosomallocation.

The invention also concerns the seed of cucumber hybrid PS 14763612 POLLand/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO. The cucumberseed of the invention may be provided, in particular embodiments, as anessentially homogeneous population of cucumber seed of cucumber hybridPS 14763612 POLL and/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO andASL147-2014-MO. Essentially homogeneous populations of seed aregenerally free from substantial numbers of other seed. Therefore, seedof hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO andASL147-2014-MO may be provided, in certain embodiments of the invention,as forming at least about 97% of the total seed, including at leastabout 98%, 99% or more of the seed. The seed population may beseparately grown to provide an essentially homogeneous population ofcucumber plants designated PS 14763612 POLL and/or cucumber lines ASLM3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a tissue culture of regenerablecells of a cucumber plant of hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and/or cucumberlines ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO is provided. The tissue culturewill preferably be capable of regenerating cucumber plants capable ofexpressing all of the physiological and morphological characteristics ofthe starting plant, and of regenerating plants having substantially thesame genotype as the starting plant. Examples of some of thephysiological and morphological characteristics of the hybrid PS14763612 POLL and/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MOinclude those traits set forth in the tables herein. The regenerablecells in such tissue cultures may be derived, for example, from embryos,meristems, cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips,pistils, flowers, seed and stalks. Still further, the present inventionprovides cucumber plants regenerated from a tissue culture of theinvention, the plants having all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and/or cucumber lines ASLM3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, processes are provided forproducing cucumber seeds, plants and fruit, which processes generallycomprise crossing a first parent cucumber plant with a second parentcucumber plant, wherein at least one of the first or second parentcucumber plants is a plant of cucumber line ASL M3092029 MO or cucumberline ASL147-2014-MO. These processes may be further exemplified asprocesses for preparing hybrid cucumber seed or plants, wherein a firstcucumber plant is crossed with a second cucumber plant of a different,distinct genotype to provide a hybrid that has, as one of its parents, aplant of cucumber line ASL M3092029 MO or cucumber line ASL147-2014-MO.In these processes, crossing will result in the production of seed. Theseed production occurs regardless of whether the seed is collected ornot.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first step in “crossing”comprises planting seeds of a first and second parent cucumber plant,often in proximity so that pollination will occur for example, mediatedby insect vectors. Alternatively, pollen can be transferred manually.Where the plant is self-pollinated, pollination may occur without theneed for direct human intervention other than plant cultivation.

A second step may comprise cultivating or growing the seeds of first andsecond parent cucumber plants into plants that bear flowers. A thirdstep may comprise preventing self-pollination of the plants, such as byemasculating the flowers (i.e., killing or removing the pollen).

A fourth step for a hybrid cross may comprise cross-pollination betweenthe first and second parent cucumber plants. Yet another step comprisesharvesting the seeds from at least one of the parent cucumber plants.The harvested seed can be grown to produce a cucumber plant or hybridcucumber plant.

The present invention also provides the cucumber seeds and plantsproduced by a process that comprises crossing a first parent cucumberplant with a second parent cucumber plant, wherein at least one of thefirst or second parent cucumber plants is a plant of cucumber hybrid PS14763612 POLL and/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO.In one embodiment of the invention, cucumber seed and plants produced bythe process are first generation (F₁) hybrid cucumber seed and plantsproduced by crossing a plant in accordance with the invention withanother, distinct plant. The present invention further contemplatesplant parts of such an F₁ hybrid cucumber plant, and methods of usethereof. Therefore, certain exemplary embodiments of the inventionprovide an F₁ hybrid cucumber plant and seed thereof

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofproducing a plant derived from hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and/or cucumberlines ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO, the method comprising thesteps of: (a) preparing a progeny plant derived from hybrid PS 14763612POLL and/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO, whereinsaid preparing comprises crossing a plant of the hybrid PS 14763612 POLLand/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO with a secondplant; and (b) crossing the progeny plant with itself or a second plantto produce a seed of a progeny plant of a subsequent generation. Infurther embodiments, the method may additionally comprise: (c) growing aprogeny plant of a subsequent generation from said seed of a progenyplant of a subsequent generation and crossing the progeny plant of asubsequent generation with itself or a second plant; and repeating thesteps for an additional 3-10 generations to produce a plant derived fromhybrid PS 14763612 POLL and/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO andASL147-2014-MO. The plant derived from hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and/orcucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO may be an inbred line,and the aforementioned repeated crossing steps may be defined ascomprising sufficient inbreeding to produce the inbred line. In themethod, it may be desirable to select particular plants resulting fromstep (c) for continued crossing according to steps (b) and (c). Byselecting plants having one or more desirable traits, a plant derivedfrom hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO andASL147-2014-MO is obtained which possesses some of the desirable traitsof the line/hybrid as well as potentially other selected traits.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method ofproducing food or feed comprising: (a) obtaining a plant of cucumberhybrid PS 14763612 POLL and/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO andASL147-2014-MO, wherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity, and(b) collecting at least one cucumber from the plant.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, the genetic complement ofcucumber hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MOand ASL147-2014-MO is provided. The phrase “genetic complement” is usedto refer to the aggregate of nucleotide sequences, the expression ofwhich sequences defines the phenotype of, in the present case, acucumber plant, or a cell or tissue of that plant. A genetic complementthus represents the genetic makeup of a cell, tissue or plant, and ahybrid genetic complement represents the genetic make up of a hybridcell, tissue or plant. The invention thus provides cucumber plant cellsthat have a genetic complement in accordance with the cucumber plantcells disclosed herein, and seeds and plants containing such cells.

Plant genetic complements may be assessed by genetic marker profiles,and by the expression of phenotypic traits that are characteristic ofthe expression of the genetic complement, e.g., isozyme typing profiles.It is understood that hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and/or cucumber lines ASLM3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO could be identified by any of the manywell known techniques such as, for example, Simple Sequence LengthPolymorphisms (SSLPs) (Williams et al., 1990), Randomly AmplifiedPolymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF),Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs), Arbitrary PrimedPolymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), Amplified Fragment LengthPolymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858, specifically incorporated herein byreference in its entirety), and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)(Wang et al., 1998).

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides hybridgenetic complements, as represented by cucumber plant cells, tissues,plants, and seeds, formed by the combination of a haploid geneticcomplement of a cucumber plant of the invention with a haploid geneticcomplement of a second cucumber plant, preferably, another, distinctcucumber plant. In another aspect, the present invention provides acucumber plant regenerated from a tissue culture that comprises a hybridgenetic complement of this invention.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides a method ofdetermining the genotype of a plant of cucumber hybrid PS 14763612 POLLand/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO comprisingdetecting in the genome of the plant at least a first polymorphism. Themethod may, in certain embodiments, comprise detecting a plurality ofpolymorphisms in the genome of the plant. The method may furthercomprise storing the results of the step of detecting the plurality ofpolymorphisms on a computer readable medium. The invention furtherprovides a computer readable medium produced by such a method.

Any embodiment discussed herein with respect to one aspect of theinvention applies to other aspects of the invention as well, unlessspecifically noted.

The term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the standarddeviation of the mean for the device or method being employed todetermine the value. The use of the term “or” in the claims is used tomean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives onlyor the alternatives are mutually exclusive. When used in conjunctionwith the word “comprising” or other open language in the claims, thewords “a” and “an” denote “one or more,” unless specifically notedotherwise. The terms “comprise,” “have” and “include” are open-endedlinking verbs. Any forms or tenses of one or more of these verbs, suchas “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes” and“including,” are also open-ended. For example, any method that“comprises,” “has” or “includes” one or more steps is not limited topossessing only those one or more steps and also covers other unlistedsteps. Similarly, any plant that “comprises,” “has” or “includes” one ormore traits is not limited to possessing only those one or more traitsand covers other unlisted traits.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and any specificexamples provided, while indicating specific embodiments of theinvention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changesand modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides methods and compositions relating to plants,seeds and derivatives of cucumber hybrid PS 14763612 POLL, cucumber lineASL M3092029 MO and cucumber line ASL147-2014-MO. The hybrid PS 14763612POLL was produced by the cross of parent lines ASL M3092029 MO andASL147-2014-MO, often with ASL M3092029 MO used as the male parent. Theparent lines show uniformity and stability within the limits ofenvironmental influence. By crossing the parent lines, uniform seedhybrid PS 14763612 POLL can be obtained.

Hybrid PS 14763612 POLL is a Monoecious Multiple Virus American Slicingcucumber for open field production. Plant habit is Indeterminate. It hashigher levels of resistance to Downy mildew a fungal pathogen comparedto existing hybrids in the market (Cortez). Fruits of this hybrid aredark green in color, blocky shape with blunt ends with attractive shape.

A. Origin and Breeding History of Cucumber Hybrid PS 14763612 POLL

The hybrid PS 14763612 POLL was produced from a cross of the linesdesignated ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO. The parent lines areuniform and stable, as is a hybrid therefrom. A small percentage ofvariants can occur within commercially acceptable limits for almost anycharacteristic during the course of repeated multiplication. However novariants are expected. The development of the parent lines of hybrid PS14763612 POLL can be summarized as follows.

Line ASL147-2014-MO was developed from a cross between plot 95GH1018(Indeterminate American Slicing cucumber line with Target leaf spotresistance and good resistance to Cucumber Mosaic Virus, Zucchini YellowMosaic Virus and Papaya Ringspot virus) and 95GH992 (IndeterminateAmerican Slicing cucumber line with resistance to Cucumber Mosaic Virus,Zucchini Yellow mosaic virus, Scab and Anthracnose). Seeds of the F1cross were planted in the Woodland Greenhouse in 1996 in plot 289 andselections were made based on plant habit, fruit quality and diseaseresistance. Selection 96GH289-1 was planted in the Woodland greenhousein plot 339 and selections were made for yield, fruit quality anddisease resistance and the selected line was planted in the Fall seasonin 1997 greenhouse in plot 1203. Selections were made based on fruityield, plant habit, fruit quality and disease resistance. Seeds fromplot 97Gh1203-1 were planted in 1998 in plot 2731 and selections weremade based on fruit quality. Selections were planted in 1998 in the fallseason in plot 3109 and were selected based on fruit quality. Seeds fromplot 98GH3109-1 were increased in Salama, Guatemala during 2002 Fallseason and the line was designated as ASL147-2014-MO.

Line ASL M3092029 MO was developed from a cross between PI 197088 Mo(98GH2767) with ASL-2143-Mo (98GH2714) during 1998. PI-197088 Mo is aPlant Introduction source with high levels of resistance to Downy mildewbut has poor fruit quality, fruit shape, black spines and is susceptibleto several virus and bacterial and fungal diseases (see Patentapplication for STI-DM). ASL-2143-Mo is a Monoecious IndeterminateAmerican Slicer inbred line with good fruit quality, dark green fruitcolor, few spines, blocky and cylindrical shape and has resistance toAnthracnose, Angular Leaf Spot, Powdery Mildew, Scab and Cucumber MosaicVirus. Seeds from the initial cross F1 were planted in Fall, 1998 inWoodland, Calif. and selfed to generate F2 seeds 98GH3086-3. F2 seedswere planted in GH in 1998 in plot 4024 and selection was made based onDM resistance, plant habit, fruit shape and fruit color (98GH4024-8).Seeds from the selection were indexed for DM in a field nursery in 1999.Seeds from selection 98GH4024-8 were planted in the field in Felda, Fla.in 2002 during the spring season and selections were made based onyield, plant habit, fruit quality (F025-24050E), Seeds from F02S-24050Ewere planted in the Fall field pollination block and selections weremade for disease resistance, plant habit, fruit quality (TO2F-30732B).The seeds from plot 30732B was planted in the Spring Greenhouse cycle in2003 in plot 40700 and selections were made for fruit quality, planthabit and disease resistance (T03S-40700D). Seeds from selection 40700Dwas planted in the Winter Greenhouse cycle in 2004 in Tifton in plot46516 and selections were made based on fruit quality, plant habit anddisease resistance (TO4W-465161), seeds from selection 465161 wereplanted in the greenhouse in Tifton in 2005 during the spring in plot62682N and the line was designated as ASL M3092029 MO.

B. Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Cucumber Hybrid PS14763612 POLL, Cucumber Line ASL M3092029 MO and Cucumber LineASL147-2014-MO

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a plant having the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of cucumber hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and the parent linesthereof. A description of the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of such plants is presented in Tables 1-3.

TABLE 1 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Hybrid PS14763612 POLL Characteristic PS 14763612 POLL Conquistador 1. Typepredominant usage slicing/fresh market slicing/fresh market predominantculture outdoor outdoor area of best adaptation in the USA most areasmost areas 2. Maturity days from seeding to market 61  65 maturity 3.Plant habit vine vine cotyledon: bitterness present (Farbio) presentgrowth type indeterminate indeterminate (Corona, Levina) time ofdevelopment of female early (Avir) medium flowers (80% of plants with atleast one female flower) sex monoecious monoecious (plant species inwhich male and female organs are found on the same plant but indifferent flowers - for example maize) sex expression monoeciousmonoecious when all the nodes on the plant have both male and femaleflowers, with more male than female flowers on each node. (Hokus) numberof female flowers per node mostly 1 or 2 mostly 1 (Brunex, Marumba)flower color yellow yellow flower color (RHS color chart 14B 14A value)4. Main Stem main stem length 115.4 cm 111 cm number of nodes fromcotyledon  1.7  1.9 leaves to node bearing the first pistillate flowerinternode length 6.7 cm 8.1 cm stem form grooved, ridged grooved, ridgedplant: total length of first 15 medium medium internodes (Marketmore) 5.Leaf mature blade of third leaf: leaf 122 mm 137 mm length mature bladeof third leaf: leaf 169.3 mm 175 mm width mature blade of third leaf:petiole 11.9 cm 15.8 cm length length medium (Briljant) medium ratiolength of terminal lobe/length medium (Corona) large of blade shape ofapex of terminal lobe acute (Delikatess) acute intensity of green colordark (Marketmore, dark Sandra, Tokyo Slicer) blistering medium (Monir)strong undulation of margin absent or weak moderate (Jazzer) dentationof margin medium (Susan) medium ovary: color of vestiture white (Jazzer)white 7. Fruit Set parthenocarpy present (Farbio, absent Rocket GS,Sandra, Wilma) length medium (Gemini, long Jazzer) 6. Fruit at ediblematurity: fruit length 20.3 cm 19.3 cm diameter medium (Corona, mediumDiamant) at edible maturity: fruit diameter at 4 cm 4.4 cm medial ratiolength/diameter large (Corona) large core diameter in relation to medium(Corona) medium diameter of fruit shape in transverse section round(Telepathy, round Susan) shape of stem end obtuse (Maram, obtuse Score)shape of calyx end obtuse (Reno) rounded at edible maturity: fruit gram233.8 gm 300 gm weight skin color/mottling mottled or speckled notmottled with yellow at edible maturity: yellowish extended less thanextended less than blossom end stripes ⅓ of the fruit length ⅓ of thefruit length at edible maturity: predominant dark green dark green colorat stem end at edible maturity: Predominant 131A 136A color at stem end(RHS Color Chart value) at edible maturity: predominant medium greenmedium green color at blossom end at edible maturity: predominant 132A144A color at blossom end (RHS Color Chart value) at edible maturity:fruit neck shape not necked not necked at edible maturity: fruittapering ends blunt or rounded blossom end tapered at edible maturity:stem end cross circular circular section at edible maturity: medialcross circular circular section at edible maturity: blossom end circularcircular cross section ground color of skin at market stage yellow (GeleTros) green intensity of ground color of skin medium medium at ediblematurity: skin thickness thick thin at edible maturity: skin ribs weak(Darius, Diana) absent sutures present (Nabil, Silor) absent creasingpresent (Corona, absent Nabil) at edible maturity: skin toughness tendertender at edible maturity: skin luster dull dull at edible maturity:spine color white white at edible maturity: spine quality coarse coarseat edible maturity: spine density few few type of vestiture hairs andprickles prickles only (De Bourbonne, De Massy) density of vestituremedium (Tasty sparse Green) density of vestiture (only varieties lightbrown (Akito) white with white ovary vestiture) warts present (Chinesepresent Slangen, Dumex, Regal) at edible maturity: tubercles (warts)few, prominent few, obscure (Salad) size of warts small (Jazzer) verysmall at edible maturity: flavor bitterfree bitterfree length of stripesmedium (Breso) short dots present (Delicatesse, presentHanpaku-Fushinari, Sagami-Fanpaku, White Sun) distribution of dotsevenly distributed predominantly in (Sagami-Fanpaku) bands length offruit containing dots distal ½ distal ⅔ density of dots sparse (Raider)medium glaucosity weak (Crispina, Joen- absent or very weak bakdadaki)length of peduncle medium (Fendan) medium ground color of skin at yellowgreen physiological ripeness 7. Fruit seed at harvest maturitymeasurements fruit seed length .9 cm .85 cm measurements fruit seeddiameter at .3 cm .3 cm medial color cream cream color RHS Color Chartvalue 158A 158C color pattern not striped not striped surface smoothsmooth netting slight or none slight or none 8. Seeds number of seedsper fruit 64.8 133.5 grams per 1,000 seeds 30 gm 26 gm *These aretypical values. Values may vary due to environment. Other values thatare substantially equivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

TABLE 2 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Line ASLM3092029 MO ASL 147-M3092029 Characteristic MO Conquistador 1. Typepredominant usage slicing/fresh market slicing/fresh market predominantculture outdoor outdoor area of best adaptation in the USA most areasmost areas 2. Maturity days from seeding to market 64  65 maturity 3.Plant habit vine vine cotyledon: bitterness present (Farbio) presentgrowth type indeterminate indeterminate (Corona, Levina) time ofdevelopment of female early (Avir) medium flowers (80% of plants with atleast one female flower) sex monoecious monoecious (plant species inwhich male and female organs are found on the same plant but indifferent flowers - for example maize) sex expression monoeciousmonoecious when all the nodes on the plant have both male and femaleflowers, with more male than female flowers on each node. (Hokus) numberof female flowers per node mostly 1 or 2 mostly 1 (Brunex, Marumba)flower color yellow yellow flower color (RHS color chart 9A 14A value)4. Main Stem main stem length 112 cm 111 cm number of nodes fromcotyledon  1.1  1.9 leaves to node bearing the first pistillate flowerinternode length 7.2 cm 8.1 cm stem form grooved, ridged grooved, ridgedplant: total length of first 15 medium medium internodes (Marketmore) 5.Leaf mature blade of third leaf: leaf 120.6 mm 137 mm length matureblade of third leaf: leaf 162.6 mm 175 mm width mature blade of thirdleaf: petiole 11.3 cm 15.8 cm length length medium (Briljant) mediumratio length of terminal lobe/length medium (Corona) large of bladeshape of apex of terminal lobe acute (Delikatess) acute intensity ofgreen color dark (Marketmore, dark Sandra, Tokyo Slicer) blisteringmedium (Monir) strong undulation of margin moderate moderate dentationof margin weak (Hana, Silor) medium ovary: color of vestiture white(Jazzer) white 7. Fruit Set parthenocarpy absent (Toska 70) absentlength medium (Gemini, long Jazzer) 6. Fruit at edible maturity: fruitlength 19.6 cm 19.3 cm diameter medium (Corona, medium Diamant) atedible maturity: fruit diameter at 4 cm 4.4 cm medial ratiolength/diameter medium (Jazzer, large Picobello, Wilma) core diameter inrelation to small (Riesenchäl, medium diameter of fruit Telepathy) shapein transverse section round to angular round (Dasher) shape of stem endobtuse (Maram, obtuse Score) shape of calyx end obtuse (Reno) rounded atedible maturity: fruit gram 177.3 gm 300 gm weight skin color/mottlingnot mottled not mottled at edible maturity: yellowish extended less thanextended less than blossom end stripes ⅓ of the fruit length ⅓ of thefruit length at edible maturity: predominant dark green dark green colorat stem end at edible maturity: Predominant 139A 136A color at stem end(RHS Color Chart value) at edible maturity: predominant medium greenmedium green color at blossom end at edible maturity: predominant 141A144A color at blossom end (RHS Color Chart value) at edible maturity:fruit neck shape not necked not necked at edible maturity: fruittapering ends blunt or blossom end tapered rounded at edible maturity:stem end cross circular circular section at edible maturity: medialcross circular circular section at edible maturity: blossom end circularcircular cross section ground color of skin at market green (Corona)green stage intensity of ground color of skin medium medium at ediblematurity: skin thickness thin thin at edible maturity: skin ribs weak(Darius, Diana) absent sutures present (Nabil, Silor) absent creasingpresent (Corona, absent Nabil) at edible maturity: skin toughness tendertender at edible maturity: skin luster glossy dull at edible maturity:spine color white white at edible maturity: spine quality coarse coarseat edible maturity: spine density few few type of vestiture hairs andprickles prickles only (De Bourbonne, De Massy) density of vestituremedium (Tasty sparse Green) density of vestiture (only varieties lightbrown (Akito) white with white ovary vestiture) warts present (Chinesepresent Slangen, Dumex, Regal) at edible maturity: tubercles few,prominent few, obscure (warts) (Salad) size of warts small (Jazzer) verysmall at edible maturity: flavor bitterfree bitterfree length of stripesshort (Astrea) short dots present (Delicatesse, presentHanpaku-Fushinari, Sagami-Fanpaku, White Sun) distribution of dotsevenly distributed predominantly in (Sagami-Fanpaku) bands length offruit containing dots distal ⅓ distal ⅔ density of dots sparse (Raider)medium glaucosity weak (Crispina, absent or very weak Joen-bakdadaki)length of peduncle short (Admirable) medium ground color of skin atgreen green physiological ripeness 7. Fruit seed at harvest maturitymeasurements fruit seed length 1 cm .85 cm measurements fruit seeddiameter .4 cm .3 cm at medial color cream cream color RHS Color Chartvalue 161C 158C color pattern not striped not striped surface smoothsmooth netting slight or none slight or none 8. Seeds number of seedsper fruit 66.2 133.5 grams per 1,000 seeds 40 gm 26 gm *These aretypical values. Values may vary due to environment. Other values thatare substantially equivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

TABLE 3 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of LineASL147-2014-MO Characteristic ASL147-2014-MO Thunderbird 1. Typepredominant usage slicing/fresh market slicing/fresh market predominantculture outdoor outdoor area of best adaptation in the USA most areasmost areas 2. Maturity days from seeding to market 65 62 maturity 3.Plant habit vine vine cotyledon: bitterness present (Farbio) presentgrowth type indeterminate indeterminate (Corona, Levina) time ofdevelopment of female medium medium flowers (80% of plants with at leastone female flower) sex monoecious monoecious (plant species in whichmale and female organs are found on the same plant but in differentflowers - for example maize) sex expression monoecious monoecious whenall the nodes on the plant have both male and female flowers, with moremale than female flowers on each node. (Hokus) number of female flowersper node mostly 1 (Dasher, mostly 1 Faraón) flower color yellow yellowflower color (RHS color chart 13A 14B value) 4. Main Stem main stemlength 85.8 cm 132.6 cm number of nodes from cotyledon  2.4  3 leaves tonode bearing the first pistillate flower internode length 6.5 cm 7.9 cmstem form grooved, ridged grooved, ridged plant: total length of first15 medium long internodes (Marketmore) 5. Leaf mature blade of thirdleaf: leaf 122.7 mm 119.3 mm length mature blade of third leaf: leaf154.6 mm 162.4 mm width mature blade of third leaf: petiole 11.6 cm 13.4cm length length long (Corona) medium ratio length of terminallobe/length large (Melody) large of blade shape of apex of terminal lobeacute (Delikatess) acute intensity of green color dark (Marketmore,medium Sandra, Tokyo Slicer) blistering medium (Monir) medium undulationof margin moderate moderate dentation of margin weak (Hana, Silor) weakovary: color of vestiture white (Jazzer) white 7. Fruit Setparthenocarpy absent (Toska 70) absent length long (Corona) medium 6.Fruit at edible maturity: fruit length 17.7 cm 18.3 cm diameter medium(Corona, medium Diamant) at edible maturity: fruit diameter at 3.7 cm4.2 cm medial ratio length/diameter medium (Jazzer, large Picobello,Wilma) core diameter in relation to small (Riesenchäl, small diameter offruit Telepathy) shape in transverse section round (Telepathy, roundSusan) shape of stem end obtuse (Maram, obtuse Score) shape of calyx endrounded (Bellissima) acute at edible maturity: fruit gram 200.5 gm 248.8gm weight skin color/mottling not mottled not mottled at ediblematurity: yellowish absent extended less than blossom end stripes ⅓ ofthe fruit length at edible maturity: predominant dark green dark greencolor at stem end at edible maturity: Predominant 136A 139A color atstem end (RHS Color Chart value) at edible maturity: predominant darkgreen medium green color at blossom end at edible maturity: predominant135A 143A color at blossom end (RHS Color Chart value) at ediblematurity: fruit neck shape not necked not necked at edible maturity:fruit tapering stem end tapered blossom end tapered at edible maturity:stem end cross circular circular section at edible maturity: medialcross circular circular section at edible maturity: blossom end circularcircular cross section ground color of skin at market green (Corona)yellow stage intensity of ground color of skin medium medium at ediblematurity: skin thickness thin thin at edible maturity: skin ribs absentmedium sutures absent (Corona, present Hana) creasing absent (Jazzer)absent at edible maturity: skin toughness tough tender at ediblematurity: skin luster dull dull at edible maturity: spine color whitewhite at edible maturity: spine quality coarse fine at edible maturity:spine density few few type of vestiture prickles only prickles only(Corona, Jazzer) density of vestiture sparse medium density of vestiture(only varieties white (Jazzer) white with white ovary vestiture) wartspresent (Chinese present Slangen, Dumex, Regal) at edible maturity:tubercles many, obscure few, obscure (warts) (Straight Eight) size ofwarts small (Jazzer) very small at edible maturity: flavor bitterfreebitterfree length of stripes absent or very short medium dots absent(Sensation) absent glaucosity medium (Jazzer, absent or very weakNakdong-chungjang length of peduncle medium (Fendan) long ground colorof skin at green yellow physiological ripeness 7. Fruit seed at harvestmaturity measurements fruit seed length .85 cm .84 cm measurements fruitseed diameter .3 cm .34 cm at medial color cream cream color RHS ColorChart value 161C 158A color pattern not striped not striped surfacesmooth smooth netting slight or none slight or none 8. Seeds number ofseeds per fruit 74.6 34.3 grams per 1,000 seeds 26.5 gm 28 gm *These aretypical values. Values may vary due to environment. Other values thatare substantially equivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

C. Breeding Cucumber Plants

One aspect of the current invention concerns methods for producing seedof cucumber hybrid PS 14763612 POLL involving crossing cucumber linesASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO. Alternatively, in other embodimentsof the invention, hybrid PS 14763612 POLL, line ASL M3092029 MO, or lineASL147-2014-MO may be crossed with itself or with any second plant. Suchmethods can be used for propagation of hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and/orthe cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO, or can be used toproduce plants that are derived from hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and/or thecucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MO. Plants derived fromhybrid PS 14763612 POLL and/or the cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO andASL147-2014-MO may be used, in certain embodiments, for the developmentof new cucumber varieties.

The development of new varieties using one or more starting varieties iswell known in the art. In accordance with the invention, novel varietiesmay be created by crossing hybrid PS 14763612 POLL followed by multiplegenerations of breeding according to such well known methods. Newvarieties may be created by crossing with any second plant. In selectingsuch a second plant to cross for the purpose of developing novel lines,it may be desired to choose those plants which either themselves exhibitone or more selected desirable characteristics or which exhibit thedesired characteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Once initialcrosses have been made, inbreeding and selection take place to producenew varieties. For development of a uniform line, often five or moregenerations of selfing and selection are involved.

Uniform lines of new varieties may also be developed by way ofdouble-haploids. This technique allows the creation of true breedinglines without the need for multiple generations of selfing andselection. In this manner true breeding lines can be produced in aslittle as one generation. Haploid embryos may be produced frommicrospores, pollen, anther cultures, or ovary cultures. The haploidembryos may then be doubled autonomously, or by chemical treatments(e.g. colchicine treatment). Alternatively, haploid embryos may be growninto haploid plants and treated to induce chromosome doubling. In eithercase, fertile homozygous plants are obtained. In accordance with theinvention, any of such techniques may be used in connection with a plantof the invention and progeny thereof to achieve a homozygous line.

Backcrossing can also be used to improve an inbred plant. Backcrossingtransfers a specific desirable trait from one inbred or non-inbredsource to an inbred that lacks that trait. This can be accomplished, forexample, by first crossing a superior inbred (A) (recurrent parent) to adonor inbred (non-recurrent parent), which carries the appropriate locusor loci for the trait in question. The progeny of this cross are thenmated back to the superior recurrent parent (A) followed by selection inthe resultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from thenon-recurrent parent. After five or more backcross generations withselection for the desired trait, the progeny have the characteristicbeing transferred, but are like the superior parent for most or almostall other loci. The last backcross generation would be selfed to givepure breeding progeny for the trait being transferred.

The plants of the present invention are particularly well suited for thedevelopment of new lines based on the elite nature of the geneticbackground of the plants. In selecting a second plant to cross with PS14763612 POLL and/or cucumber lines ASL M3092029 MO and ASL147-2014-MOfor the purpose of developing novel cucumber lines, it will typically bepreferred to choose those plants which either themselves exhibit one ormore selected desirable characteristics or which exhibit the desiredcharacteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Examples of desirabletraits may include, in specific embodiments, high seed yield, high seedgermination, seedling vigor, high fruit yield, disease tolerance orresistance, and adaptability for soil and climate conditions.Consumer-driven traits, such as a fruit shape, color, texture, and tasteare other examples of traits that may be incorporated into new lines ofcucumber plants developed by this invention.

D. Performance Characteristics

As described above, hybrid PS 14763612 POLL exhibits desirable agronomictraits. The performance characteristics of hybrid PS 14763612 POLL werethe subject of an objective analysis of the performance traits relativeto other varieties. The results of the analysis are presented below.

TABLE 4 Performance Data for Hybrid PS 14763612 POLL Average LengthAverage Diameter CONQUISTADOR 7.5 1.7 PS 14763612 8.5 1.9 POLL

E. Further Embodiments of the Invention

In certain aspects of the invention, plants described herein areprovided modified to include at least a first desired heritable trait.Such plants may, in one embodiment, be developed by a plant breedingtechnique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to a genetic locus transferred into the plant viathe backcrossing technique. The term single locus converted plant asused herein refers to those cucumber plants which are developed by aplant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all ofthe morphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to the single locus transferred into the varietyvia the backcrossing technique. By essentially all of the morphologicaland physiological characteristics, it is meant that the characteristicsof a plant are recovered that are otherwise present when compared in thesame environment, other than an occasional variant trait that mightarise during backcrossing or direct introduction of a transgene.

Backcrossing methods can be used with the present invention to improveor introduce a characteristic into the present variety. The parentalcucumber plant which contributes the locus for the desiredcharacteristic is termed the nonrecurrent or donor parent. Thisterminology refers to the fact that the nonrecurrent parent is used onetime in the backcross protocol and therefore does not recur. Theparental cucumber plant to which the locus or loci from the nonrecurrentparent are transferred is known as the recurrent parent as it is usedfor several rounds in the backcrossing protocol.

In a typical backcross protocol, the original variety of interest(recurrent parent) is crossed to a second variety (nonrecurrent parent)that carries the single locus of interest to be transferred. Theresulting progeny from this cross are then crossed again to therecurrent parent and the process is repeated until a cucumber plant isobtained wherein essentially all of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of the recurrent parent are recovered in the convertedplant, in addition to the single transferred locus from the nonrecurrentparent.

The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important step for asuccessful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a backcross protocol isto alter or substitute a single trait or characteristic in the originalvariety. To accomplish this, a single locus of the recurrent variety ismodified or substituted with the desired locus from the nonrecurrentparent, while retaining essentially all of the rest of the desiredgenetic, and therefore the desired physiological and morphologicalconstitution of the original variety. The choice of the particularnonrecurrent parent will depend on the purpose of the backcross; one ofthe major purposes is to add some commercially desirable trait to theplant. The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the characteristicor trait being altered and the genetic distance between the recurrentand nonrecurrent parents. Although backcrossing methods are simplifiedwhen the characteristic being transferred is a dominant allele, arecessive allele, or an additive allele (between recessive anddominant), may also be transferred. In this instance it may be necessaryto introduce a test of the progeny to determine if the desiredcharacteristic has been successfully transferred.

In one embodiment, progeny cucumber plants of a backcross in which aplant described herein is the recurrent parent comprise (i) the desiredtrait from the non-recurrent parent and (ii) all of the physiologicaland morphological characteristics of cucumber the recurrent parent asdetermined at the 5% significance level when grown in the sameenvironmental conditions.

New varieties can also be developed from more than two parents. Thetechnique, known as modified backcrossing, uses different recurrentparents during the backcrossing. Modified backcrossing may be used toreplace the original recurrent parent with a variety having certain moredesirable characteristics or multiple parents may be used to obtaindifferent desirable characteristics from each.

Many single locus traits have been identified that are not regularlyselected for in the development of a new inbred but that can be improvedby backcrossing techniques. Single locus traits may or may not betransgenic; examples of these traits include, but are not limited to,herbicide resistance, resistance to bacterial, fungal, or viral disease,insect resistance, modified fatty acid or carbohydrate metabolism, andaltered nutritional quality. These comprise genes generally inheritedthrough the nucleus.

Direct selection may be applied where the single locus acts as adominant trait. For this selection process, the progeny of the initialcross are assayed for viral resistance and/or the presence of thecorresponding gene prior to the backcrossing. Selection eliminates anyplants that do not have the desired gene and resistance trait, and onlythose plants that have the trait are used in the subsequent backcross.This process is then repeated for all additional backcross generations.

Selection of cucumber plants for breeding is not necessarily dependenton the phenotype of a plant and instead can be based on geneticinvestigations. For example, one can utilize a suitable genetic markerwhich is closely genetically linked to a trait of interest. One of thesemarkers can be used to identify the presence or absence of a trait inthe offspring of a particular cross, and can be used in selection ofprogeny for continued breeding. This technique is commonly referred toas marker assisted selection. Any other type of genetic marker or otherassay which is able to identify the relative presence or absence of atrait of interest in a plant can also be useful for breeding purposes.Procedures for marker assisted selection are well known in the art. Suchmethods will be of particular utility in the case of recessive traitsand variable phenotypes, or where conventional assays may be moreexpensive, time consuming or otherwise disadvantageous. Types of geneticmarkers which could be used in accordance with the invention include,but are not necessarily limited to, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms(SSLPs) (Williams et al., 1990), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs(RAPDs), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence CharacterizedAmplified Regions (SCARs), Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction(AP-PCR), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858,specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), andSingle Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., 1998).

F. Plants Derived by Genetic Engineering

Many useful traits that can be introduced by backcrossing, as well asdirectly into a plant, are those which are introduced by genetictransformation techniques. Genetic transformation may therefore be usedto insert a selected transgene into a plant of the invention or may,alternatively, be used for the preparation of transgenes which can beintroduced by backcrossing. Methods for the transformation of plantsthat are well known to those of skill in the art and applicable to manycrop species include, but are not limited to, electroporation,microprojectile bombardment, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation anddirect DNA uptake by protoplasts.

To effect transformation by electroporation, one may employ eitherfriable tissues, such as a suspension culture of cells or embryogeniccallus or alternatively one may transform immature embryos or otherorganized tissue directly. In this technique, one would partiallydegrade the cell walls of the chosen cells by exposing them topectin-degrading enzymes (pectolyases) or mechanically wound tissues ina controlled manner.

An efficient method for delivering transforming DNA segments to plantcells is microprojectile bombardment. In this method, particles arecoated with nucleic acids and delivered into cells by a propellingforce. Exemplary particles include those comprised of tungsten,platinum, and preferably, gold. For the bombardment, cells in suspensionare concentrated on filters or solid culture medium. Alternatively,immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on solid culturemedium. The cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriatedistance below the macroprojectile stopping plate.

An illustrative embodiment of a method for delivering DNA into plantcells by acceleration is the Biolistics Particle Delivery System, whichcan be used to propel particles coated with DNA or cells through ascreen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex screen, onto a surfacecovered with target cells. The screen disperses the particles so thatthey are not delivered to the recipient cells in large aggregates.Microprojectile bombardment techniques are widely applicable, and may beused to transform virtually any plant species.

Agrobacterium-mediated transfer is another widely applicable system forintroducing gene loci into plant cells. An advantage of the technique isthat DNA can be introduced into whole plant tissues, thereby bypassingthe need for regeneration of an intact plant from a protoplast. ModernAgrobacterium transformation vectors are capable of replication in E.coli as well as Agrobacterium, allowing for convenient manipulations(Klee et al., 1985). Moreover, recent technological advances in vectorsfor Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer have improved the arrangementof genes and restriction sites in the vectors to facilitate theconstruction of vectors capable of expressing various polypeptide codinggenes. The vectors described have convenient multi-linker regionsflanked by a promoter and a polyadenylation site for direct expressionof inserted polypeptide coding genes. Additionally, Agrobacteriumcontaining both armed and disarmed Ti genes can be used fortransformation.

In those plant strains where Agrobacterium-mediated transformation isefficient, it is the method of choice because of the facile and definednature of the gene locus transfer. The use of Agrobacterium-mediatedplant integrating vectors to introduce DNA into plant cells is wellknown in the art (Fraley et al., 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,055).

Transformation of plant protoplasts also can be achieved using methodsbased on calcium phosphate precipitation, polyethylene glycol treatment,electroporation, and combinations of these treatments (see, e.g.,Potrykus et al., 1985; Omirulleh et al., 1993; Fromm et al., 1986;Uchimiya et al., 1986; Marcotte et al., 1988). Transformation of plantsand expression of foreign genetic elements is exemplified in Choi et al.(1994), and Ellul et al. (2003).

A number of promoters have utility for plant gene expression for anygene of interest including but not limited to selectable markers,scoreable markers, genes for pest tolerance, disease resistance,nutritional enhancements and any other gene of agronomic interest.Examples of constitutive promoters useful for plant gene expressioninclude, but are not limited to, the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV)P-35S promoter, which confers constitutive, high-level expression inmost plant tissues (see, e.g., Odel et al., 1985), including in monocots(see, e.g., Dekeyser et al., 1990; Terada and Shimamoto, 1990); atandemly duplicated version of the CaMV 35S promoter, the enhanced 35Spromoter (P-e35S);1 the nopaline synthase promoter (An et al., 1988);the octopine synthase promoter (Fromm et al., 1989); and the figwortmosaic virus (P-FMV) promoter as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,619and an enhanced version of the FMV promoter (P-eFMV) where the promotersequence of P-FMV is duplicated in tandem; the cauliflower mosaic virus19S promoter; a sugarcane bacilliform virus promoter; a commelina yellowmottle virus promoter; and other plant DNA virus promoters known toexpress in plant cells.

A variety of plant gene promoters that are regulated in response toenvironmental, hormonal, chemical, and/or developmental signals can alsobe used for expression of an operably linked gene in plant cells,including promoters regulated by (1) heat (Callis et al., 1988), (2)light (e.g., pea rbcS-3A promoter, Kuhlemeier et al., 1989; maize rbcSpromoter, Schaffner and Sheen, 1991; or chlorophyll a/b-binding proteinpromoter, Simpson et al., 1985), (3) hormones, such as abscisic acid(Marcotte et al., 1989), (4) wounding (e.g., wunl, Siebertz et al.,1989); or (5) chemicals such as methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, orSafener. It may also be advantageous to employ organ-specific promoters(e.g., Roshal et al., 1987; Schernthaner et al., 1988; Bustos et al.,1989).

Exemplary nucleic acids which may be introduced to plants of thisinvention include, for example, DNA sequences or genes from anotherspecies, or even genes or sequences which originate with or are presentin the same species, but are incorporated into recipient cells bygenetic engineering methods rather than classical reproduction orbreeding techniques. However, the term “exogenous” is also intended torefer to genes that are not normally present in the cell beingtransformed, or perhaps simply not present in the form, structure, etc.,as found in the transforming DNA segment or gene, or genes which arenormally present and that one desires to express in a manner thatdiffers from the natural expression pattern, e.g., to over-express.Thus, the term “exogenous” gene or DNA is intended to refer to any geneor DNA segment that is introduced into a recipient cell, regardless ofwhether a similar gene may already be present in such a cell. The typeof DNA included in the exogenous DNA can include DNA which is alreadypresent in the plant cell, DNA from another plant, DNA from a differentorganism, or a DNA generated externally, such as a DNA sequencecontaining an antisense message of a gene, or a DNA sequence encoding asynthetic or modified version of a gene.

Many hundreds if not thousands of different genes are known and couldpotentially be introduced into a cucumber plant according to theinvention. Non-limiting examples of particular genes and correspondingphenotypes one may choose to introduce into a cucumber plant include oneor more genes for insect tolerance, such as a Bacillus thuringiensis(B.t.) gene, pest tolerance such as genes for fungal disease control,herbicide tolerance such as genes conferring glyphosate tolerance, andgenes for quality improvements such as yield, nutritional enhancements,environmental or stress tolerances, or any desirable changes in plantphysiology, growth, development, morphology or plant product(s). Forexample, structural genes would include any gene that confers insecttolerance including but not limited to a Bacillus insect control proteingene as described in WO 99/31248, herein incorporated by reference inits entirety, U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,052, herein incorporated by referencein its entirety, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,500,365 and 5,880,275, hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety. In another embodiment, thestructural gene can confer tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate asconferred by genes including, but not limited to Agrobacterium strainCP4 glyphosate resistant EPSPS gene (aroA:CP4) as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,633,435, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, orglyphosate oxidoreductase gene (GOX) as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,463,175, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Alternatively, the DNA coding sequences can affect these phenotypes byencoding a non-translatable RNA molecule that causes the targetedinhibition of expression of an endogenous gene, for example viaantisense- or cosuppression-mediated mechanisms (see, for example, Birdet al., 1991). The RNA could also be a catalytic RNA molecule (i.e., aribozyme) engineered to cleave a desired endogenous mRNA product (seefor example, Gibson and Shillito, 1997). Thus, any gene which produces aprotein or mRNA which expresses a phenotype or morphology change ofinterest is useful for the practice of the present invention.

G. Definitions

In the description and tables herein, a number of terms are used. Inorder to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, the following definitions are provided:

Allele: Any of one or more alternative forms of a gene locus, all ofwhich alleles relate to one trait or characteristic. In a diploid cellor organism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy corresponding locion a pair of homologous chromosomes.

Backcrossing: A process in which a breeder repeatedly crosses hybridprogeny, for example a first generation hybrid (F₁), back to one of theparents of the hybrid progeny. Backcrossing can be used to introduce oneor more single locus conversions from one genetic background intoanother.

Crossing: The mating of two parent plants.

Cross-pollination: Fertilization by the union of two gametes fromdifferent plants.

Diploid: A cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes.

Emasculate: The removal of plant male sex organs or the inactivation ofthe organs with a cytoplasmic or nuclear genetic factor or a chemicalagent conferring male sterility.

Enzymes: Molecules which can act as catalysts in biological reactions.

F₁ Hybrid: The first generation progeny of the cross of two nonisogenicplants.

Genotype: The genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

Haploid: A cell or organism having one set of the two sets ofchromosomes in a diploid.

Linkage: A phenomenon wherein alleles on the same chromosome tend tosegregate together more often than expected by chance if theirtransmission was independent.

Marker: A readily detectable phenotype, preferably inherited incodominant fashion (both alleles at a locus in a diploid heterozygoteare readily detectable), with no environmental variance component, i.e.,heritability of 1.

Phenotype: The detectable characteristics of a cell or organism, whichcharacteristics are the manifestation of gene expression.

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL): Quantitative trait loci (QTL) refer togenetic loci that control to some degree numerically representabletraits that are usually continuously distributed.

Resistance: As used herein, the terms “resistance” and “tolerance” areused interchangeably to describe plants that show no symptoms to aspecified biotic pest, pathogen, abiotic influence or environmentalcondition. These terms are also used to describe plants showing somesymptoms but that are still able to produce marketable product with anacceptable yield. Some plants that are referred to as resistant ortolerant are only so in the sense that they may still produce a crop,even though the plants are stunted and the yield is reduced.

Regeneration: The development of a plant from tissue culture.

Self-pollination: The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigmaof the same plant.

Single Locus Converted (Conversion) Plant: Plants which are developed bya plant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially allof the morphological and physiological characteristics of a cucumbervariety are recovered in addition to the characteristics of the singlelocus transferred into the variety via the backcrossing technique and/orby genetic transformation.

Substantially Equivalent: A characteristic that, when compared, does notshow a statistically significant difference (e.g., p=0.05) from themean.

Tissue Culture: A composition comprising isolated cells of the same or adifferent type or a collection of such cells organized into parts of aplant.

Transgene: A genetic locus comprising a sequence which has beenintroduced into the genome of a cucumber plant by transformation.

H. Deposit Information

A deposit of cucumber hybrid PS 14763612 POLL and inbred parent linesASL147-2014-MO and ASL M3092029 MO, disclosed above and recited in theclaims, has been made with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC),10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209. The dates of depositwere Apr. 22, 2011, Apr. 13, 2011, and Apr. 13, 2011, respectively. Theaccession numbers for those deposited seeds of cucumber hybrid PS14763612 POLL and inbred parent lines ASL147-2014-MO and ASL M3092029 MOare ATCC Accession Number PTA-11850, ATCC Accession Number PTA-11816,and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11818, respectively. Upon issuance of apatent, all restrictions upon the deposits will be removed, and thedeposits are intended to meet all of the requirements of 37 C.F.R.§1.801-1.809. The deposits will be maintained in the depository for aperiod of 30 years, or 5 years after the last request, or for theeffective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replacedif necessary during that period.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the invention, as limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

All references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

REFERENCES

The following references, to the extent that they provide exemplaryprocedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, arespecifically incorporated herein by reference:

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1. A cucumber plant comprising at least a first set of the chromosomesof cucumber line ASL147-2014-MO or cucumber line ASL M3092029 MO, asample of seed of said lines having been deposited under ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-11816, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11818, respectively. 2.A seed comprising at least a first set of the chromosomes of cucumberline ASL147-2014-MO or cucumber line ASL M3092029 MO, a sample of seedof said lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession NumberPTA-11816, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11818, respectively.
 3. Theplant of claim 1, which is inbred.
 4. The plant of claim 1, which ishybrid.
 5. The plant of claim 4, wherein the hybrid plant is cucumberhybrid PS 14763612 POLL, a sample of seed of said hybrid PS 14763612POLL having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11850.
 6. Theplant of claim 1, wherein the plant is a plant of line ASL147-2014-MO orline ASL M3092029 MO.
 7. A plant part of the plant of claim
 1. 8. Theplant part of claim 7, further defined as a leaf, a ovule, pollen, afruit, or a cell.
 9. A cucumber plant having all the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the cucumber plant of claim
 5. 10. Acucumber plant having all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of the cucumber plant of claim
 6. 11. A tissue cultureof regenerable cells of the plant of claim
 1. 12. The tissue cultureaccording to claim 11, comprising cells or protoplasts from a plant partselected from the group consisting of embryos, meristems, cotyledons,pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, pistil, flower, seed andstalks.
 13. A cucumber plant regenerated from the tissue culture ofclaim
 12. 14. A method of vegetatively propagating the plant of claim 1comprising the steps of: (a) collecting tissue capable of beingpropagated from a plant according to claim 1; (b) cultivating saidtissue to obtain proliferated shoots; and (c) rooting said proliferatedshoots to obtain rooted plantlets.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising growing at least a first plant from said rooted plantlets.16. A method of introducing a desired trait into a cucumber linecomprising: (a) crossing a plant of line ASL147-2014-MO or ASL M3092029MO with a second cucumber plant that comprises a desired trait toproduce F1 progeny, a sample of seed of said lines having been depositedunder ATCC Accession Number PTA-11816, and ATCC Accession NumberPTA-11818, respectively; (b) selecting an F1 progeny that comprises thedesired trait; (c) backcrossing the selected F1 progeny with a plant ofline ASL147-2014-MO or ASL M3092029 MO to produce backcross progeny; (d)selecting backcross progeny comprising the desired trait and thephysiological and morphological characteristic of cucumber lineASL147-2014-MO or ASL M3092029 MO; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d)three or more times to produce selected fourth or higher backcrossprogeny that comprise the desired trait.
 17. A cucumber plant producedby the method of claim
 16. 18. A method of producing a plant comprisingan added trait, the method comprising introducing a transgene conferringthe trait into a plant of hybrid PS 14763612 POLL, line ASL147-2014-MOor line ASL M3092029 MO, a sample of seed of said hybrid and lineshaving been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11850, ATCCAccession Number PTA-11816, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11818,respectively.
 19. A plant produced by the method of claim
 18. 20. Theplant of claim 1, comprising a transgene.
 21. The plant of claim 20,wherein the transgene confers a trait selected from the group consistingof male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pestresistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism,environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism andmodified protein metabolism.
 22. The plant of claim 1, comprising asingle locus conversion.
 23. The plant of claim 22, wherein the singlelocus conversion confers a trait selected from the group consisting ofmale sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance,disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, environmental stresstolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism and modified proteinmetabolism.
 24. A method for producing a seed of a plant derived from atleast one of hybrid PS 14763612 POLL, line ASL147-2014-MO or line ASLM3092029 MO comprising the steps of: (a) crossing a cucumber plant ofhybrid PS 14763612 POLL, line ASL147-2014-MO or line ASL M3092029 MOwith itself or a second cucumber plant; a sample of seed of said hybridand lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-11850,ATCC Accession Number PTA-11816, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11818,respectively; and (b) allowing seed of a hybrid PS 14763612 POLL, lineASL147-2014-MO or line ASL M3092029 MO-derived cucumber plant to form.25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the steps of: (c) selfinga plant grown from said hybrid PS 14763612 POLL, ASL147-2014-MO or ASLM3092029 MO-derived cucumber seed to yield additional hybrid PS 14763612POLL, line ASL147-2014-MO or line ASL M3092029 MO-derived cucumber seed;(d) growing said additional hybrid PS 14763612 POLL, line ASL147-2014-MOor line ASL M3092029 MO-derived cucumber seed of step (c) to yieldadditional hybrid PS 14763612 POLL, line ASL147-2014-MO or line ASLM3092029 MO-derived cucumber plants; and (e) repeating the crossing andgrowing steps of (c) and (d) to generate at least a first further hybridPS 14763612 POLL, line ASL147-2014-MO or line ASL M3092029 MO-derivedcucumber plant.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the second cucumberplant is of an inbred cucumber line.
 27. The method of claim 24,comprising crossing line ASL147-2014-MO with line ASL M3092029 MO, asample of seed of said lines having been deposited under ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-11816, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-11818, respectively. 28.The method of claim 25, further comprising: (f) crossing the furtherhybrid PS 14763612 POLL, ASL147-2014-MO or ASL M3092029 MO-derivedcucumber plant with a second cucumber plant to produce seed of a hybridprogeny plant.
 29. A hybrid seed produced by the method of claim
 27. 30.A plant produced by growing the seed of claim
 27. 31. A plant part ofthe plant of claim
 30. 32. The plant part of claim 31, further definedas a leaf, a flower, a fruit, an ovule, pollen, or a cell.
 33. A methodof producing a cucumber seed comprising crossing the plant of claim 1with itself or a second cucumber plant and allowing seed to form.
 34. Amethod of producing a cucumber fruit comprising: (a) obtaining a plantaccording to claim 1, wherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity;and (b) collecting a cucumber from the plant.